Public Health Specialist

Duty Station: Sukhumi, Georgia

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Division of Country Support, Emergency Preparedness and Response (CSE) supports the development and delivery of WHO's strategic engagement portfolio in Member States with and without country offices. It aims to maximize WHO's impact in countries by helping them realize their health and development ambitions and strategies in line with the European Programme of Work (EPW) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). CSE recognizes that each country is different and needs tailored collaboration. The Division works by bringing people and units together across WHO divisions, offices and key partners. The Division has the principal function to develop mechanisms that help the organization understand, strategize, implement and connect for country impact. In this, it focuses on gathering, analyzing and presenting information for country impact; developing, tracking and refining strategic country engagement plans; supporting programme implementation in countries; and facilitating effective collaboration and networks within the organization and with countries and partners. This includes working with partners and Member States to manage and respond to the health needs of refugees and migrants, with a focus on access to health services and on preparedness for refugee and migrant influxes.

CSE operates in particular proximity to Country Offices and provides opportunities for frequent mobility between assignments in the Division and in countries (in particular for team lead positions). Individual technical officers will have -in addition to their specific technical focus- a geographic responsibility by virtue of being a focal point for a limited number of country offices, for which they will provide support across all technical areas covered by CSE.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The purpose of this position is two-fold:

1. To provide the necessary institutional liaison between the health authorities of Georgia's break-away region of Abkhazia and the WHO Country Office in Georgia;

2. To strengthen local capacity in the identification of appropriate policy direction and its operationalization with regard to health systems and public health policies with a particular focus on UHC and strengthening PH services, including preparedness and response to public health emergencies.

This post is required to ensure the implementation of the guiding principle of the European Programme of Work, that no one is left behind.

Key duties: Under the managerial oversight of WR/GEO, the incumbent carries out the following key responsibilities:

1. Assume the coordination and oversight of technical and humanitarian assistance, as well as administration of partnerships activities, in collaboration with other UN agencies on the ground.

2. Assist and contribute to promoting partnerships with relevant stakeholders, and contribute to certifying the correct high technical quality, policy relevant and timely implementation of all tasks and activities carried out under donor financed activities or in agreed partnerships in Abkhazia region. Act as a neutral broker in the capacity of specialist within his/her technical remit and facilitate multisectoral policy dialogue between the health authorities of the Abkhazia region, the donor community and other cooperation partners on health and development policies.

3. Support the implementation of WHO activities as elaborated in the BCA as well as the implementation of UN activities reflected in the UNSDCF. with a special focus on using the European Programme of Work and its flagship initiatives where relevant. This includes providing support to the health authorities of the Abkhazia region in activities which include developing, implementing and evaluating policies and strategies that help to improve the overall health system performance, intersectoral action for health and wellbeing with the involvement of stakeholders and actors from the different institutional levels of the Abkhazia region.

4. Provide technical assistance and policy advice to the health authorities of the Abkhazia region on priority issues such as UHC, especially on primary health care including HIV/TB/HepC control, vaccination programme and Sexual and Reproductive Health services as well as further assessment of the health system, while ensuring an adequate response to the current COVID-19 crisis and other potential public health emergencies in the future and addressing their burden and strain imposed on health system.

5. Provide support in the application of tools and guidelines for the improvement of health information and collation of information, data analysis, and preparation of regular and timely briefings, reports, or situation analysis on the health sector in the Abkhazia region.

6. Link with institutions, associations and non-governmental agencies in the Abkhazia region, for exchange of information, coordination of activities and implementation of sector wide approaches.

7. Contribute in mobilizing support and resources for health and contribute to the WHO advocacy effort in GEO for health to be considered as an integral part of the Abkhazia region development and aid cooperation.

8. Assist in the technical preparation of missions to the Abkhazia region and support consultants on the ground to fulfil their duties, by facilitating meetings with local stakeholders, visits to relevant institutions, provision of relevant data, etc.

9. Other duties related to the technical remit as assigned by supervisors.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree (at Bachelor's level) in medicine, public health, health systems, health economics, management of health services or other field related to public health
Desirable: University degree (Master's level) in any of the above-mentioned fields.

Experience

Essential: At least 5 years of experience at national and international level in the area of public health, producing analytical work on health systems and public health. Demonstrated experience in policy making. Experience in work planning and management of health projects.
Desirable: Relevant experience within WHO, the United Nations or other international organizations or NGOs.

Skills

Analytical skills and demonstrated knowledge of health system analysis.Demonstrated ability to work in complex cultural and political environments. Ability to adapt to a high paced environment. Ability to identify and manage one's own emotions, as well as helping others to do the same.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Moving forward in a changing environment
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Expert knowledge of Russian .
Desirable:

REMUNERATION

WHO salaries for staff in the Professional category are calculated in US dollars. The remuneration for the above position comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 62,120 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable), a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, and currently amounts to USD 984 per month for the duty station indicated above. Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level

• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

• A written test may be used as a form of screening.

• In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.

• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.

• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.

• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.

• WHO's workforce adheres to the WHO Values Charter and is committed to put the WHO Values into practice.

• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

• WHO has a mobility policy which can be found at the following link: http://www.who.int/employment/en/. Candidates appointed to an international post with WHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.

• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.

• For WHO General Service staff who do not meet the minimum educational qualifications, please see e-Manual III.4.1, para 220.